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Ferdinand wants to recapture ´chemical of competition´ from boxing

Rio Ferdinand says he has missed "the chemical that comes out of you" in professional sport as he launches a new career as a boxer.

The 38-year-old announced on Tuesday that he is to try his hand in the ring with the view to challenging for a belt over the next 12 months, just two years after retiring from football.

Although the former Manchester United defender insists he does not expect to progress as far as global title bouts, he is eager to experience the thrill of competition and to test himself "as a human being".

"A lot of people sit and watch huge fights, plus other sporting events and say 'I can do that' or 'they've messed it up'," he told Standard Sport.

"There are a lot of armchair fans wanting to pass judgement. Well, I'm going to walk the walk and actually do it.

"I'm into keeping fit and one of the big things I have missed since retiring from football in 2015 is the competition, whether it be as a team or as an individual going one-on-one against a striker.